Coastal Carolina University vs University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)

Coastal Carolina University and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, both esteemed institutions in North Carolina, offer distinct educational experiences. Coastal Carolina boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring students. In contrast, UNCW maintains a more selective admissions process, resulting in a lower acceptance rate. While Coastal Carolina excels in fields like Business, Education, and Health Professions, UNCW shines in areas such as Engineering, Marine Biology, and Nursing. Coastal Carolina's student body comprises a diverse mix of ethnicities, while UNCW's student population leans slightly more towards Caucasian. Both universities boast impressive graduation rates, indicating their commitment to student success. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further distinctions between these two exceptional universities and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	Coastal Carolina University	University of North Carolina Wilmington
Overview
Location	Conway, South Carolina	Wilmington, North Carolina
Campus setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	72.0%	83.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	79.1%	68.0%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $45	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1030 - 1190	1210 - 1330
ACT range	20 - 25	24 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	29.0%	8.0%
Students submitting ACT score	13.0%	19.0%
Total number of applicants	15,481	15,792
Total number of admissions given out	12,251	10,736
Admitted students who chose to enroll	2,519	2,435
Yield rate	20.6%	22.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Not required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $26,318 Out of state: $42,072	In state: $25,855 Out of state: $39,920
Average net price	$14,956	$18,792
Tuition	In state: $11,460 Out of state: $27,214	In state: $4,443 Out of state: $18,508
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $5,440 Meal plan: $3,928	Room/dormitory: $6,926 Meal plan: $4,420
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	91.0% Average amount $9,834	53.0% Average amount $6,253
Students receiving federal student loan	60.0% Average amount $5,848	47.0% Average amount $5,258
Students taking out private loans	16.0% Average amount $20,291	9.0% Average amount $15,490

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	9,790 Men 44.9% Women 55.1%	14,488 Men 35.0% Women 65.0%
Graduate students	683 Men 30.7% Women 69.3%	3,542 Men 28.2% Women 71.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Low
Out-of-state students	60.2%	17.4%
International students	1.2%	2.0%
Campus local/setting	City: Small	City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity	4,728	5,562
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	South Carolina New Jersey New York Pennsylvania Maryland	North Carolina Maryland Pennsylvania Virginia New Jersey

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Communication and Journalism	Health Professions Business Education Kinesiology & Leisure Studies Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	17:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	51.2%	71.8%
Dropout rate	11.4%	6.5%
Transferred out	36.7%	20.7%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $49,378 Year 2: $57,318 Year 3: $69,235 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $44,086 Year 2: $48,198 Year 3: $61,332 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $48,114 Year 2: $53,497 Year 3: $60,248 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,888 Year 2: $65,750 Year 3: $59,685 Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $29,976 Year 2: $34,704 Year 3: $44,693 Education, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $42,824 Year 2: $42,873 Year 3: $44,446 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,464 Year 2: $37,856 Year 3: $44,425 Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $37,250 Year 2: $38,168 Year 3: $43,145 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,430 Year 2: $38,597 Year 3: $42,978 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $36,101 Year 2: $36,423 Year 3: $42,472	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $86,377 Year 2: $92,124 Year 3: $103,988 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $63,601 Year 2: $65,486 Year 3: $79,923 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $68,987 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $73,712 Fine and Studio Arts (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,073 Year 2: $60,957 Year 3: $73,607 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $54,368 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $72,729 Chemistry (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $52,551 Year 2: $55,108 Year 3: $65,524 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,331 Year 2: $59,253 Year 3: $63,301 Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $45,853 Year 2: $46,478 Year 3: $58,788 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $55,512 Year 3: $55,086 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,700 Year 2: $43,201 Year 3: $54,656

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW)?

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offer distinct experiences. UNCW, as part of the UNC system, generally has a larger student body and a broader range of graduate programs. CCU, while growing, maintains a slightly smaller, more personalized feel. UNCW is known for its strong marine biology and coastal studies programs, while CCU is recognized for its hospitality, resort tourism management, and professional golf management programs. Location-wise, both are near the coast, but UNCW is closer to the city of Wilmington, offering more immediate access to urban amenities, while CCU is located in Conway, near Myrtle Beach, providing easy access to the beach and tourist attractions.
Which university is larger, Coastal Carolina University or UNC Wilmington?

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is generally larger than Coastal Carolina University (CCU) in terms of student enrollment. UNCW typically has a higher number of undergraduate and graduate students compared to CCU.
How do the academic programs at CCU and UNCW compare?

Both Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offer a wide range of academic programs. UNCW is particularly strong in marine biology, nursing, education, and business. CCU excels in hospitality, resort tourism management, professional golf management, and marine science. While both offer similar core programs like business, communication, and sciences, the specific strengths and specializations differ, so consider your intended major when deciding.
What is the campus environment like at Coastal Carolina University versus UNC Wilmington?

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) has a vibrant and energetic campus atmosphere, often associated with its proximity to Myrtle Beach and its strong focus on student life. The campus is known for its Chanticleer spirit and active student involvement. The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offers a more academically focused environment with a strong emphasis on research and community engagement. UNCW's campus is known for its beautiful landscaping and a more relaxed, scholarly atmosphere.
How do the costs of attending CCU and UNCW compare?

The cost of attending Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) can vary depending on residency status (in-state vs. out-of-state). Generally, UNCW, as part of the UNC system, may have slightly lower tuition rates for in-state students. However, it's essential to check the most recent tuition and fees on each university's website, as well as consider factors like room and board, books, and personal expenses. Scholarship opportunities can also significantly impact the overall cost.
What are the surrounding areas like for each university?

Coastal Carolina University (CCU) is located in Conway, South Carolina, near Myrtle Beach. This provides students with easy access to beaches, entertainment, dining, and tourist attractions. The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, a city with a historic downtown, a vibrant arts scene, and access to beaches like Wrightsville Beach. Wilmington offers a broader range of urban amenities and cultural experiences compared to Conway/Myrtle Beach.
Which university is better for students interested in marine science?

Both Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offer marine science programs. However, UNCW is particularly renowned for its marine biology and coastal studies programs, with extensive research facilities and opportunities. CCU also has a strong marine science program, especially related to coastal management and conservation. If your primary focus is marine biology research, UNCW might be a better fit, but if you're interested in the broader aspects of coastal management and tourism, CCU is a great option.
What kind of student life and extracurricular activities are available at CCU and UNCW?

Both Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) offer a wide range of student life and extracurricular activities. CCU is known for its strong school spirit and active involvement in campus events, with numerous clubs, organizations, and sports teams. UNCW also has a vibrant student life scene, with a focus on academic clubs, community service, and outdoor recreation. Both universities offer opportunities for students to get involved and connect with others who share their interests.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare between CCU and UNCW?

Both Coastal Carolina University (CCU) and the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) provide career services to help students prepare for their future careers. CCU's location near Myrtle Beach provides numerous internship and job opportunities in the hospitality, tourism, and golf industries. UNCW's location in Wilmington offers opportunities in various sectors, including healthcare, business, and marine science. Both universities have career centers that offer resume assistance, interview preparation, and job search resources.
What are the graduation and retention rates like at CCU and UNCW?

Graduation and retention rates are important indicators of student success. Generally, UNCW tends to have slightly higher graduation and retention rates compared to CCU. This can be attributed to factors such as selectivity, academic resources, and student support services. However, both universities are committed to student success and offer resources to help students graduate on time.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.

Coastal Carolina University

University of West Alabama